Wild Women battle back in thrilling finale

THE Widnes Wild women’s team ended their Women’s Premier League season on a high note with a 6-6 draw at league runners-up Chelmsford Cobras on Sunday.

The game was closely contested throughout, completely belying the comparative league positions of the two teams – the Cobras already confirmed in second place in the league table with eight wins from 11 games and the Wild women struggling down in second bottom with just one win and one draw from 11 encounters.

There were numerous chances at both ends but the hosts just edged the first period 1-0 with a goal after 11 minutes.

The Wild women equalised just five minutes into the second period with a goal from Abi Hayes and the Widnes team had much more possession – out-shooting the Cobras by 13-8 – but not managing to capitalise on their efforts.

The home outfit, however, managed to score three goals from their eight shots in the period and headed into the second break with a 4-1 lead.

It was 5-1 to Chelmsford within two minutes of the restart but a goal from Amanda Williams pulled the Wild women back to 5-2 some three minutes later. The Cobras extended the lead once again making it 6-2 with 10 minutes to play and, looked at that time, to be cruising to victory.

With just five minutes left, Chelmsford’s leading goalscorer Tereza Plankova picked up a hooking penalty and the Wild women pushed up to make the most of their ensuing two-minute player advantage.

Abi Hayes fired in the powerplay goal and this breakthrough sparked a revival among the Widnes team.

Just 50 seconds later, the Wild’s Belgian international player Leen de Decker scored to make it 6-4.

Some 80 seconds after that, Lucy Kirkham found the back of the net to close the gap to a single goal and set up a fascinating last two minutes of the league season.

The clock ticked down, both teams had chances and then – with just 21 seconds left to play – Amanda Williams fired into the Cobras’ net to level the score and secure the Wild women a well-deserved 6-6 draw.

The resulting point sees the Wild women finish the season in sixth place in the league table, two points clear of the relegation slot occupied by the Nottingham Vipers.

Amanda Williams finished the season as the Wild Women’s top points scorer with 7+3 in nine appearances. Katie Hills and Leen de Decker were tied in second with 6+3 and 4+5 respectively.

Lucy Kirkham, Sav Sumner and captain Charlene Chapman were ever-presents for the season, each having played all 12 league games, and the season was notable for encouraging new talent with five new players – Katie Fairclough, Pauline Hayward, Alice Horsfield, Charlotte McPhee and Rebekah Scott – all making their WPL debuts for the Wild Women.